COUNTY fire chief Darran Gunter has urged members of the public to take extra steps to reduce fire risks in the home, following confirmation firefighters will strike for four days from Halloween night.

Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members in Dorset will be supporting the industrial action, called amid the continuing row over pensions, which is set to run from 6pm, October 31, until 6pm, November 4.

Normal emergency cover will resume on Bonfire Night.

This is now the 42nd period of strike action, sanctioned by the FBU in response to the government’s stance on firefighter pensions, since September last year.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Firefighters are incandescent following two months of negotiations which have led to no new proposals.

“Firefighters will not stand by and see our members’ pension rights destroyed by a government which does not give a damn about the safety or wellbeing of firefighters in the long term.”

The union says that under government proposals firefighters will have to work until they are 60, instead of 55, pay more into their pensions and, ultimately, get less in retirement.

Meanwhile, the government insists firefighters receive one of the best public pension schemes in the country.

Mr Gunter, who said he was disappointed no agreement had been reached, added: “It is important to stress that this is a national dispute.”

He also said: “We have put plans in place to ensure Dorset Fire & Rescue is able to respond to incidents, but we would ask members of the public to take extra steps to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in their home.

“We will continue to work with all our partners locally to ensure businesses, homes and our environment can be kept as safe as possible from fire during these periods of industrial action.”

Fire Minister, Penny Mordaunt said: “This strike action is completely unnecessary and we are disappointed by the FBU's decision.

“In the last few months when industrial action has not taken place we have made good progress on issues of concern to fire fighters, and anticipate being able to lay the pension regulations shortly.

"Firefighters will have one of the most generous pensions in the public sector in recognition of the risks they take.

“During industrial action public safety will remain our primary focus and we have tried and tested contingency plans in place. If they need help, people should dial 999 and they will get a response.”